Nikki Birch | March 16, 2026 When R&B artist Tiana Major9 arrived at our office six years after their Tiny Desk (home) concert, the only thing bigger than their stylish hat was the excitement to perform their own music at the Desk, in-person.
With a set featuring ballads from November Scorpio, Tiana Major9 tells the (sometimes very messy) story of a love pursued … by a November Scorpio (IYKYK). There's "Try Peace…," where logic debates a wounded heart and convinces it to soften and open up to what they really want: "better days with your way." And "desire.," a cautious-yet-sassy, admission of falling in love, sprinkled with literal swoons from the background vocalists. Meanwhile, during "alone" and "Always," that same heart swings back to yearning, regret and doubt.
Tiana Major9 also introduces "Collide" as the song that changed their life. Originally written as a collaboration with EARTHGANG for the Queen & Slim soundtrack, the song earned them a Grammy nomination for best R&B song. (If you hear an excited wooo! off-camera — that was me.)
To close, Tiana Major9 invites a special guest. Just a couple years ago, the R&B singer joined Nick Grant and Robert Glasper as a featured artist for trumpeter Keyon Harrold's Tiny Desk. He returns the favor by joining Tiana Major9's fantastic band for the final song, "energy!"
SET LIST "Try Peace…" "Collide" "desire." "alone" "Always" "energy!"
MUSICIANS Tiana Major9: vocals Ari O'Neal: guitar Haein Kim: keys Jordan Waters: bass R'Jay Nichelle: drums Lelia-Michelle Walker: viola Margret Radovani: violin Elyscia: background vocals Ashia B: background vocals Keyon Harrold: trumpet
TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Nikki Birch Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant Audio Engineer/Mix: Josephine Nyounai Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame Audio Engineer/Director: Josh Newell Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer Photographer: Vanessa Castillo Series Editor: Lars Gotrich Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Executive Director: Sonali Mehta Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
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